Washing a denim jacket in a washing machine

Denim jackets are considered versatile outerwear, pairing harmoniously with a variety of styles and suitable for both hot and rainy weather. They are thick, durable, and relatively easy to care for—they're rarely washed and machine-washable. However, being a natural fabric, they inevitably deteriorate if the cycle isn't set correctly. Before washing a denim jacket in a washing machine, it's important to understand the denim care instructions and the manufacturer's recommendations. We'll explain everything step by step.

Basic rules of care

Denim is a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers. The cotton content is significantly higher, so care instructions are appropriate. Natural fibers shrink and lose their pigment when exposed to hot water, causing the fabric to shrink by 1-2 sizes and become discolored. Hence, the basic rule for caring for denim: keep it at a low to medium temperature.

The optimal water temperature for denim is 30-40 degrees Celsius. As for other washing conditions for a denim jacket, there are several:

• if there are metal fittings, rivets, zippers and buttons, soak for no more than 1 hour;
• For light blue and blue jeans, use detergent for colored items;
• give preference to hand washing;
• Do not try to wash denim on a washboard;
• when washing in a machine, select a quick program (optimally 30 minutes);
• When washing by hand, first rinse at 30 degrees, and then in cold water;
• Dry naturally in a ventilated area or outdoors, but away from ultraviolet radiation and heaters.

Interestingly, denim used to be washed without taking it off to adjust the fabric to the body and prevent excessive shrinkage. But now it's clear that denim is safe without high-temperature washing—as long as the fabric isn't overheated, it won't shrink. Soaking is more complicated: prolonged exposure to water causes rust on metal hardware, resulting in brown streaks and stains. It's best to limit the soaking time and not soak denim for more than 30-120 minutes.

The optimal temperature for washing a denim jacket is 40 degrees.

It is also necessary to take care of the color of the jacket. It is not advisable to use regular powders, as they contain bleaching components that wash out the pigment. It's best to use liquid detergents designed for colored fabrics and denim. It's also important to remember that the dye is applied to denim only on the longitudinal or weft threads, so iron the garment only from the inside out. Otherwise, the iron will leave a discolored mark.

It's also important to consider the composition of a denim jacket. It's always indicated by the manufacturer on the tag sewn onto the garment. Purely natural fiber doesn't stretch and can only be hand-washed or dry-cleaned, though such "pure" items are rare. Denim is often infused with elastane, which gives the fabric elasticity, stretchability, and machine-washability.

We take into account the manufacturer's recommendations

Don't just load your jacket into the washing machine; before doing anything, read the label. This is where the manufacturer specifies the optimal washing and drying conditions, using special symbols. For example, the following symbols are often found on denim:

• “A basin with water and a number” – water temperature during washing;
• "Crossed out basin" - washing is contraindicated;
• "Base with hand down" - hand wash only;
• "Triangle" - bleaching is allowed (crossed out, on the contrary, is prohibited);
• “Empty circle or with a letter” – dry cleaning options;
• "Iron with dots" – temperature when ironing;
• "Square with circle or stripes" is a method of wringing and drying.

Before washing your jacket, read the label carefully!

As a rule, a regular denim jacket is machine washable, as indicated by the absence of any prohibition symbols. However, a basin with the number "40" will be present, indicating the recommended washing temperature. A crossed-out triangle prohibits bleaching, and a circle with the letter "P" indicates dry cleaning is permitted. An iron icon indicates ironing, and two dots indicate a heat setting of 150 degrees Celsius. A square with vertical stripes indicates that the denim should be hung to dry.

Automatic washing

Most denim jackets are machine washable. However, it's best to minimize the risk and run them through the cycle correctly. To avoid mistakes, follow the instructions.

1. We fasten all available buttons and zippers.
2. Turn the product inside out.
3. Select the “Jeans” or “Delicate Wash” mode on the washing machine.
4. Pour detergent into the main compartment of the tray and conditioner into the central compartment.
5. We set the water heating temperature (for light-colored items – 40 degrees, for black and colored items – 30).
6. We check that the spin is switched to minimum.
7. We turn on an additional rinse to completely wash the detergent out of the fibers.

Afterwards, we start the cycle and wait for it to finish. Then we begin drying, which we'll cover in more detail later.

We'll wash it by hand.

Denim fades a lot, so it's always washed separately. Since running a washing machine for just one item isn't cost-effective, hand washing is a great way to save water and energy. Here's how to hand-wash a jacket:

• a basin or bath is filled with water at 30-40 degrees;
• powder or gel for color is dissolved in water;
• add conditioner or a tablespoon of acetic acid;
• Soiled areas are washed with a brush and soap (cleaners and stain removers are acceptable).

If your jacket has fur trim, be careful. Both real and faux fur are equally sensitive to water and detergents. It's best to remove the trim before washing or cover it with plastic as much as possible.

Getting rid of moisture

The drying process depends on the washing performed. If you cleaned your jacket by hand, there's no need to wring it out. Simply hold it over a basin or place it in the bathtub, allowing the water to drain freely from the fabric. Afterwards, the denim is straightened and hung on hangers. The jeans are dried in the shade on the balcony.

You can't dry jeans on a radiator!

If machine washing is chosen, unzip the jacket before drying, turn it inside out, and then hang it on a hanger in the fresh air. The material should be straightened periodically to avoid creases and folds. Drying with hair dryers and heaters is prohibited, as they over-dry the fabric, causing it to lose elasticity and become misshapen. Direct UV light has a similar effect, making the denim stiff, faded, and rough.

   

Readers' comments